Where to take my iPhone for repair

[nofxpw539]

Hello everyone,

I have an iPhone 3g bought in March 2009 which I am now having problems with (the loud speaker at the bottom of the phone doesn't work and the wifi signal seems dismally poor compared to how it used to be).

My question is about where I can take it for repair under warranty, I bought it from an o2 shop in the UK but was wondering if I could just take it to an Apple store. The reason I'd prefer to take it to Apple is that i've heard they will just give you a replacement handset, whereas o2 say they'll send it off for repair and it could take as long as 10 working days.
I'm not bothered about being given a refurb, I just don't want to be without a phone for too long.

Any advice/previous experience would be great, cheers.
Mark

 

[thelatinist]

If your phone is still under warranty, you can take it to the Apple store. Usually they do offer on-the-spot replacement for warranty issues. If I were you, I'd check the water sensor before I went, though.

 

[John T]

Either look on the Apple website or ask at your local Apple Store. They will inform you of their local approved Service Centre. Work carried out by these centres doesn't usually effect your warranty - and the work is guaranteed.

 

[gigapocket1]

just go online and setup an appointment apple.. if they cant fix the problem right there on the spot.. they will replace the device right there on the spot.

 

[nofxpw539]

Thank you all for your replies, they're very helpful. I'm definately hoping for an on-the-spot replacement so I think i'll head out to the Apple store today.
thelatinist is there an easy way to check the water sensor?

Cheers, Mark.

 

[thelatinist]

Thank you all for your replies, they're very helpful. I'm definately hoping for an on-the-spot replacement so I think i'll head out to the Apple store today.
thelatinist is there an easy way to check the water sensor?

Cheers, Mark.

The one you can check yourself is located in the headphone jack. Shine a flashlight down in there and look at the small tab in the bottom of it. This tab should appear white; if it is pink or red then your water sensor has been tripped and Apple will not warranty it. They should still offer you a substantial discount on a refurb, though.

 

[scaredpoet]

is there an easy way to check the water sensor?

There are two water sensors to check. the first is in the headphone jack:

And the second is in the dock connector. it's a little hard to see:

There are also some internal sensors, but you aren't going to see those unless you take the phone apart (not recommended):

In both cases, white is good. Pink or red is bad.

 

[nofxpw539]

Just got back from the Apple store, water sensors were all good and now I have a shiney replacement handset! Very efficient service.
Thank you all again for your input.

Mark